Russia and EU move toward simplified visa regime

Mar 13, 2013

Kommersant

Elena Chernenko

Russian officials don't rule out that a visa agreement between Russia and European Union could be signed during the Russia-EU summit. Source: AFP

Russia and the EU close in on a solution to the final stumbling block of official passports. Moscow and Brussels now hope that a long-awaited visa agreement between Russia and the EU will be signed before the start of the summer.

As part of an
agreement to mutually liberalize visa requirements, Germany — the most
influential opponent of the abolition of visas for holders of official
passports — has withdrawn its objections. Moscow and Brussels now hope that a
long-awaited visa agreement between Russia and the EU will be signed before the
start of the summer.

The nearly two-year dispute over visa exemptions for
holders of official passports is seemingly about to be resolved. This issue has
so far prevented the two sides from signing an agreement that would
substantially relax the visa regime for all categories of citizens. Moscow's
demand that holders of such passports be exempt from visa requirements is
opposed by a number of EU countries.

However, according to a diplomatic source in Brussels, the
most influential of these countries — Germany — recently changed its position.

The source indicated that German Foreign Minister Guido
Westerwelle and Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich had informed European
Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom of its new position in a
special letter.

The Embassy of Germany in the Russian Federation issued
this statement: "The Government of Germany has always supported dialogue
between the EU and Russia on a new agreement to facilitate the visa process.
The German authorities are in favor of resolving the matter regarding the
abolition of visas for holders of official passports."

Diplomatic sources in the EU cite a number of reasons for
Germany's sudden change of heart.

"German business circles and tour
operators have long advocated a simpler visa regime with Russia, believing that
it will benefit economic ties and tourism," said one of the sources.
"They have repeatedly expounded that view to the German government, which
seems to have heeded their advice."

Another source believes that the concession is intended to
improve the overall climate of relations between Moscow and Berlin. The
dialogue has been strained recently because of growing criticism of Russia by
German officials.

"Germany will go to the polls this year, and better
relations with Russia could win votes for the ruling party," said this
source, recalling that Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to meet with President
Vladimir Putin in Moscow in the first half of April.

According to a third source in Europe's diplomatic circles,
Germany hopes that, if the visa regime is greatly simplified, "Russia will
stop pushing for a total abolition of visas."

Russia had been angling to have all visa barriers with the
EU removed in time for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, but now hopes to reach an
agreement by the end of 2014 at the latest.

In any case, it largely depends on which EU countries
decide to follow Germany's example. Besides Germany, the camp of skeptics
includes Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Czech Republic, Poland,
Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, as well as Britain and Ireland (which are not
part of Schengen but involved in the decision-making process).

Two of them —
Austria and the Netherlands — could soon withdraw their objections, which would
effectively resolve the matter.

The ambassador-at-large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Anwar Azimov, described Germany's decision as a "very positive
step."

"We are pleased that common sense has prevailed,"
said Azimov. "We hope that Germany's example will show the doubters how to
conduct a constructive policy in relation to Russia, and that together we can
overcome the remaining barrier to the signing of a new visa agreement."

Anwar Azimov did not rule out that an agreement could be signed during the Russia-EU summit, which,
according to Kommersant, is due
to take place in early June in Yekaterinburg.

A diplomatic source in Brussels also expressed hope that a
document would be signed "before the summer vacation period." However,
he issued a proviso: After being signed, the agreement must be ratified by the
European Parliament. The latter has not been favorably inclined toward Russia
as of late.